Clowney seems like a good guy who only wants to play the best game he possibly can. The guy is gifted and a true genetic freak, albeit with a bit of work ethic problem. But I imagine he'll find the motivation once he gets drafted and has to perform at the next level. I find him to be an extremely positive, motivating individual. Apart from personal team bias, I can't see why anyone, especially the ESPN pundits and members of the media who built him up in the first place, would outright hate him or want to tear him down.

JoeCock

02-23-2014 12:58 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Personally, I don't think he has a "Work Ethic" problem. Gifted athletes are often labeled with that because they don't have to work so hard to be good.
The game is easier for them than most people.

Could he be even better if he worked harder? Probably, but I would take a player like him every year and be happy.

6pack

02-23-2014 01:13 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeCock
(Post 4094899)

Personally, I don't think he has a "Work Ethic" problem. Gifted athletes are often labeled with that because they don't have to work so hard to be good.
The game is easier for them than most people.

Could he be even better if he worked harder? Probably, but I would take a player like him every year and be happy.

My thoughts exactly. Yeah he can definitely improve but he's already an outstanding player as is. I'm excited to see what he does in the NFL. He's got the potential to be a breakout star IMO.

Order 66

02-23-2014 01:44 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

I hope certain comments don't effect his draft stock.

6pack

02-23-2014 01:47 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Quote:

Originally Posted by Order 66
(Post 4094924)

I hope certain comments don't effect his draft stock.

I might be acting too optimistic but I think he'll show out at the combine and prove to everyone he's worth every bit of the hype.

seamus

02-23-2014 01:56 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

The measure of a defensive player is how much he disrupts the opposing offense. Clowney certainly has done this during his time with the Cocks. Sure he had "better numbers" his soph year, but he was disruptive his jr year in a different way. All year long, the offenses had to plan for Clowney. They would use multiple blocking schemes to try to contain him. They would run the ball away from him. They would shorten pass routes to get rid of the ball as quickly as they could to avoid his rush.

So, even though he did not have the "big numbers" this year, he still was a force to be reckoned. I am sure the NFL scouts know what talent Clowney has, and have a good idea how good he will be in the next level.

6pack

02-23-2014 02:01 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamus
(Post 4094929)

The measure of a defensive player is how much he disrupts the opposing offense. Clowney certainly has done this during his time with the Cocks. Sure he had "better numbers" his soph year, but he was disruptive his jr year in a different way. All year long, the offenses had to plan for Clowney. They would use multiple blocking schemes to try to contain him. They would run the ball away from him. They would shorten pass routes to get rid of the ball as quickly as they could to avoid his rush.

So, even though he did not have the "big numbers" this year, he still was a force to be reckoned. I am sure the NFL scouts know what talent Clowney has, and have a good idea how good he will be in the next level.

Agreed. He was getting double and triple teamed, not to mention held on several occasions, this season so it's no wonder his numbers weren't what they were last season. The fact that he was still able to disrupt offenses this season with those obstacles against him speaks volumes about his ability and presence as a player.

Acockolypse Now

02-23-2014 02:27 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Why do you build me up (build me up) Buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (let me down) and mess me around
And then worst of all (worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin'
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (build me up) Buttercup, don't break my heart

bigdawg77

02-23-2014 02:47 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Hope they keep talking and he falls in Atlanta's lap

6pack

02-23-2014 02:50 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdawg77
(Post 4094942)

Hope they keep talking and he falls in Atlanta's lap

I'm thinking he either ends up in Houston or Atlanta. Some mock draft had him going to Jacksonville which would be a waste of his talent.

BigOrangeCrush

02-23-2014 05:30 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

From an outside fan view, I thought Clowney did fine this year. The UNC game where the O lineman took the cheap shot might have gotten in his head a little and in his defense, whose head wouldn't it had gotten in after seeing what happened to Lattimore the previous year. He still was a beast and will be a beast in the league...those that pass on him, other than those needing a QB, will regret it and rightfully so.

GamecockInHell

02-23-2014 09:39 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

To me the biggest thing that hurt Clowney this past year was the loss of Lawing. I don't really think Adams added a thing to him.

Order 66

02-23-2014 11:32 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdawg77
(Post 4094942)

Hope they keep talking and he falls in Atlanta's lap

Agreed...Please no Jasonville. ..

Spurrier_Superior_One

02-23-2014 11:35 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Quote:

Originally Posted by GamecockInHell
(Post 4094970)

To me the biggest thing that hurt Clowney this past year was the loss of Lawing. I don't really think Adams added a thing to him.

This, Adams didn't put his foot down on the lacking work ethic neither did Whammy for that matter. Those first 5 games proved that with that Albert Haynesworth conditioning, and the next the line of excuses that followed. GMs look at that and work ethic is a something that is highly valued.

ccured

02-23-2014 11:54 AM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

my issue with the work ethic bashing is the coaches publicly said they held him out of practices because he didn't need it. that is on coaches you always need practice that is were your work ethic is tested

GregoryHouse

02-23-2014 01:27 PM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6pack
(Post 4094883)

Clowney seems like a good guy who only wants to play the best game he possibly can. The guy is gifted and a true genetic freak, albeit with a bit of work ethic problem. But I imagine he'll find the motivation once he gets drafted and has to perform at the next level. I find him to be an extremely positive, motivating individual. Apart from personal team bias, I can't see why anyone, especially the ESPN pundits and members of the media who built him up in the first place, would outright hate him or want to tear him down.

The main reason for all the Clowney hate is because of those who have gone before him.

History is not on Mr. Clowney's side.

Nothing disappoints quite like a sure thing that does not live up to expectations.

So no body is going to come out publically and support JD when it is easier to point out his weaknesses and faults.

- They say he does not take football, training or conditioning seriously.

- He made boastful comments at last year's media day to call out opposing teams' players.

- He smiles too much for a defensive player.

- He only had 3 sacks last year.

- He does not drop back into coverage (???).

- Teams can run right at him.

- He has been hyped too much in his Junior Year while other DEs have not received such attention.

- Too much Flash, not enough sizzle over the course of games.

- Takes plays off in college.

- Does not play to the whistle on plays.

- Sometimes has his hands on his hips.

- Did not care about going to class (???).

- Enjoys the spotlight (???).

- Speeding Tickets (???).

- Makes excuses for injuries and missed games.

- Clowney may have hit his peak in his sophomore season.

In truth, Clowney has all the warning signs of a Ryan Leaf, Daunte Culpepper, Brian Bosworth, Steve Emtman, Courtney Brown, Mike Mamula, etc. - to people who only watch Sportcenter and listen to twitter "news"

Can a team afford to draft a player who may have hit his highest potential in his second season of college football? What happens when such a player is given millions of dollars and the white-hot spotlight of media attention?

vs.

Can a team afford to pass on a DE who will only get better with NFL training, is a physical freak and is faster than some offensive skill players?

GarnetSwarm1990

02-23-2014 02:04 PM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6pack
(Post 4094943)

I'm thinking he either ends up in Houston or Atlanta. Some mock draft had him going to Jacksonville which would be a waste of his talent.

Lots of talk about Atlanta potentially trading up to get him at 1 or 2.

JoeCock

02-23-2014 03:00 PM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnetSwarm1990
(Post 4095116)

Lots of talk about Atlanta potentially trading up to get him at 1 or 2.

While I like that thought, I honestly do not see the Texans passing on him.

Yes, they need a QB but the Top QBs have their own "Red Flags" as well.

You have what has been described as "A Once In A Decade Player", coming from the same school that the owner graduated from, I don't see them passing up that player.

6pack

02-23-2014 04:11 PM

Re: I don't get the Clowney hate

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH
(Post 4095098)

The main reason for all the Clowney hate is because of those who have gone before him.

History is not on Mr. Clowney's side.

Nothing disappoints quite like a sure thing that does not live up to expectations.

So no body is going to come out publically and support JD when it is easier to point out his weaknesses and faults.

- They say he does not take football, training or conditioning seriously.

- He made boastful comments at last year's media day to call out opposing teams' players.

- He smiles too much for a defensive player.

- He only had 3 sacks last year.

- He does not drop back into coverage (???).

- Teams can run right at him.

- He has been hyped too much in his Junior Year while other DEs have not received such attention.

- Too much Flash, not enough sizzle over the course of games.

- Takes plays off in college.

- Does not play to the whistle on plays.

- Sometimes has his hands on his hips.

- Did not care about going to class (???).

- Enjoys the spotlight (???).

- Speeding Tickets (???).

- Makes excuses for injuries and missed games.

- Clowney may have hit his peak in his sophomore season.

In truth, Clowney has all the warning signs of a Ryan Leaf, Daunte Culpepper, Brian Bosworth, Steve Emtman, Courtney Brown, Mike Mamula, etc. - to people who only watch Sportcenter and listen to twitter "news"

Can a team afford to draft a player who may have hit his highest potential in his second season of college football? What happens when such a player is given millions of dollars and the white-hot spotlight of media attention?

vs.

Can a team afford to pass on a DE who will only get better with NFL training, is a physical freak and is faster than some offensive skill players?

Excellent points. In today's society we're so cynical and bitter that the second we see somebody with the potential to be great, even though as you said history might be against him, our instincts are to point out every single little flaw they have as opposed to looking at his positive attributes. Now Clowney might come to the league and not have a stellar first season or he might be a breakout star. Either way he has the fortitude and ability to become an excellent pro and I believe that NFL scouts and owners will see this at the combine.